First Reconciliation and First Holy Eucharist
Preparation for these two sacraments is offered in conjunction with our Faith Formation program. Parents and children are expected to attend one Family Retreat usually sometime during the penitential season of Lent which will include the First Reconciliation. Additionally, there will be one Rehearsal for First Holy Eucharist, typically within one week of the First Communion Mass. You must notify the Director of Faith Formation that your child is preparing for these sacraments absolutely no later than October 1^st. You must also supply a baptismal certificate if you were not baptized at Most Holy Trinity. EVERYONE will need to fill out a First Communicant Information Form.    
Prior to receiving the sacraments of Confession and Holy Eucharist for the first time, it is required within the Roman Rite that the child have reached the age of reason. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, “This, as a rule, happens at the age of seven, or thereabouts, though the use of reason requisite for moral discernment may come before, or may be delayed until notably after, that time. At this age Christians come under the operation of ecclesiastical laws, such as the precept of assistance at Mass on Sundays and holydays, abstinence from meat on certain days, and annual confessions, should they have incurred mortal sin.”  
For this reason, it is expected that First Communicants should be able to recite their basic Catholic prayers such as the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be. They should be able to make the Sign of the Cross, and perform some form of Act of Contrition prior to their First Confession. Prior to receiving their First Holy Communion, they should be able to give a basic explanation of the Real Presence and Transubstantiation.  


Confirmation
Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation begins at Baptism though the commitment of parents and Godparents to raise the child in the Catholic faith. The parents raise the child to know and love Our Blessed Lord and His Church through childhood, and the parish endeavors to support them through the sacraments and catechesis. You must notify the Director of Faith Formation that your child is preparing for the sacrament absolutely no later than October 1^st. You must also supply a baptismal certificate if you were not baptized at Most Holy Trinity.  
The USCCB set the normal age in the United States for confirmation “between the age of discretion and sixteen within the limits determined by the diocesan bishop.” At the current time, the Diocese of Savannah follows the limits set by Bp. Hartmayer of conferring the Sacrament of Confirmation normally between the 7^th and 9^th grades.  
All Candidates for Confirmation will need to select a sponsor. This should be:  

1. Someone 16 years of age or older who,  
2. is Baptized, Confirmed in the Catholic Church, and leads a life in harmony with the faith and the role to be undertaken  
3. not bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared; (i.e. in a non-sacramental marriage),  
4. not be the father or mother of the one to be confirmed  

They must supply a letter of good standing from their present church. If they are a member of Most Holy Trinity, this form can be obtained from the parish website (here). Candidates are encouraged to consider their baptism Godparents to express the inextricable link between these two Sacraments.  
Candidates for confirmation will also be expected to master the basic Catholic knowledge contained in the diocesan Knowledge of the Faith Assessment. Additionally, they should have an intimate knowledge of their patron saint under whose name they will be Confirmed. To underline the relationship of Confirmation with Baptism, the candidate is encouraged to retain his/her baptismal name, rather than taking a new name. Care should be taken to ensure the baptismal name has Christian roots, if not, an appropriate Christian name and patron should be chosen.  
Finally, the Candidate will be expected to write a letter to the bishop requesting the Sacrament of Confirmation. More information about all of this will be provided by the Director of Faith Formation.  


Once registered for the sacrament, check your email regularly. You will receive a full packet early in the year to cover all details, and regular updates as the Sacrament dates approach. Please contact the Director of Faith Formation for more information at FaithFormation@themostholytrinity.org .  

RCIC
Rite of Christian Initiation for children: This program is designed for students in the 3rd grade through 10th grade who did not receive the Sacrament of First Reconciliation, First Communion, or Confirmation at the appropriate grade level. It is carried out on an as need basis privately. Contact the DRE for further information.